2006 Fall Newsletter

| Noteworthy Events | 2006-2007 Season Preview | 2006-2007 Schedule |

2006 Season review

The 2006 edition of the MatHawks entered the season with high expectations and a sense of purpose due to the fact that in 2005, Hayfield did not win the Patriot District title for the first time in this decade. Although, the team rallied to place 2 nd in the 2005 Northern Region Tourney, the MatHawks felt that they underachieved. The 2006 season started with a bang, as the Hawks routed Herndon in the inaugural Charity match held at Hayfield. However, the following week a disturbing pattern began to emerge that would plague the MatHawks throughout the rest of the season; starters missing matches. At the Hanover Duals, 2 starters, Alan Kwong and Chris McIntosh, missed weight, leaving the Hawks shorthanded in the dual meet tournament. As a result Hayfield fell to highly ranked Garfield by a point before rallying to win their next four matches and finishing in 3 rd place at the Hanover Hawk Duals. At the Beast of the East, the toughest tournament in the country, senior Calvin placed 7 th in this prestigious event. Next, South County came to Hayfield for a dual meet, and they were shut out by the MatHawks. Once again, the Hawks were without a starter, as Robert DeSano came down with a case of Burnhamitis, but Daniel Mills filled in capably and preserved the shutout. After Christmas, Hayfield traveled down to Orlando, FLA and battled in a dual team tourney at Oviedo HS (ranked #14 nationally). Once again the Hawks were without several starters, as Cory Monaghan was injured during warm ups, so back up Stephen Robarge got some valuable mat time, and Jonahan Romero’s knee limited his availability. Never less the MatHawks ended up 6-1 and placed 5 th. At the extremely tough Battlefield Duals, the Hawks were once again without several starters, Chris McIntosh, Cory Monaghan, and Jonahan Romero all missed significant mat time. In addition, Mike Meunster also was injured. In spite of all this, Hayfield defeated top ranked regional opponent Robinson and finished 4-4 overall. Up in cold New York, the MatHawks competed in the Eastern States Tourney, Alan Kwong awoke from a season long slumber and won 5 matches in this tough event. Calvin Cardillo placed 6 th in this event. Hayfield swept through their district competition and put an astounding 10 wrestlers into the district tournament semi final round. Hayfield crowned 3 individual district champions and cruised to their 7 th district title in 10 years. At the region tourney, Chris McIntosh kept up the Hayfield tradition of unheralded wrestlers stepping up and making a difference in this tournament. Chris placed 4 th and led the Hawks to another regional championship. This tournament was not sealed until Calvin Cardillo pinned his opponent in the regional finals allowing the MatHawks to nip Robinson for the title by 2 points. Disappointingly, the junior class was shut out, as none of the 11 th graders placed in this event. What does this portend for the future?

Noteworthy Events

• Jonanan Romero has received an athletic grant in aid from Memphis State University to play soccer. Also made honorable mention Washington Post All-Met
• Calvin Cardillo received an athletic grant in aid from University of Virginia to wrestle. Also was named 1st team Washington Post All-Met
• Steven Ours was selected to represent Virginia in the 2006 Scholastic Underclass Duals held at Delaware State University April 6-7 th. Steven went 6-2. Steven also was named honorable mention All-Met. Steven spent 6 weeks at the Ken Chertow Super Gold Medal Wrestling Camp as a camp participant and a junior counselor.
• Ronnie Ours placed 4 th at the 2006 VA Freshman State Championships in Norfolk VA held March 11-12 He also qualified for the Cadet National Championships by placing 3 rd in the Southeast Regional Tournament held in Greenville S.C. Ronnie won matches in both FS and GR in Fargo, ND
• Robert DeSano won the Junior GR State Championship in Herico, VA. This qualified him to compete in the Junior National Championships in Fargo, ND.
• Josh Claassen qualified for the Junior Nationals as well. In addition, Josh also competed in the Junior National Duals in Oklahoma City, OK where he wrestled 130 lbs for the Virginia National Team.
• Coach Hill was named 2006 Examiner Wrestling Coach of the Year
• Coach Nimmons was named 2006 Patriot District Assistant Coach of the Year
• Zach Grimsley, Joe Habib, and Daniel Rogers traveled down to Farmville, VA and completed the Granby School of Wrestling Camp held on the campus of Hampton-Sydney College in July.
• Lewen Romero is making rapid progress in recovering from a broken Patella suffered in the spring, he should be ready for the upcoming season.
• Ryan Barrington is back training on the mats again for the first time since last fall. He is almost fully recovered from ACL knee surgery.
• Shane Schumack is living in Plano TX and will wrestle for his new school.
• Class of '06 College Plans:
• Alan Kwong West Virginia University
• Chris McIntosh Montgomery-Germantown College (baseball)
• Jonahan Romero Memphis State University (soccer)
• Cory Monaghan East Carolina University
• Calvin Cardillo University of Virginia (wrestling)
• Jonathan Horne Virginia Military Institute (wrestling)
• Sophomores:
  • Chris Hummer JMU
  • Phillip Tassi Ohio State University
  • Johnny Villanueva West Virginia University
• Juniors:
  • Chris Bowling JMU
  • Mike Maternick VMI
  • Erik Olsen VMI (wrestling)
  • Chelstan Char GMU
  • Jason Holsclaw U of Oklahoma
  • Mike Delaney Virginia Tech
• Seniors:
  • Louis Pavia Virginia Tech
  • David Martinez West Liberty State College
  • Carlos Palacios West Liberty State College (wrestling)
  • John Grimsley George Mason University
  • Kyle Burnham George Mason University
  • Andrew Robarge James Madison University (wrestling)
  • Gideon Youn Virginia Commonwealth University
• 2006 College Graduates:
  • Tomas Ovalle Virginia Tech B.A. Physical Education
  • Jochen Granja Virginia Military Institute B.S. Chemistry
  • John Thibideau Virginia Tech B.S. Mechanical Engineer

2006-2007 Season Preview

The 2006 season ended with the Hayfield Wrestling Team winning the Patriot District title for the 7 th time in the past 9 years and its 6 Northern Region championship in the past 8 years (finished 3 rd in 2002 and 2 nd in 2005). In the past 10 years, Hayfield has annually established itself as one of the top 10 teams in the state of Virginia, and last year was no exception, as Hayfield finished 11 th in the AAA state tournament. Additionally, senior Calvin Cardillo became the 8 th state champion in school history.

That was then, this is now: 5 seniors graduated from last year’s team, and freshman starter, Shane Schumack moved to another state. The rising senior class does not have a regional place finisher amongst them and the rising junior class has but 3 members. The opening of South County High School has resulted in a smaller pool of athletes to draw from.

Despite these shortcomings the coaching staff is energized by the return of several former Hayfield wrestlers who have just completed their college careers. In addition, several returning members of the team have improved dramatically during the off season. The arrival of several move in and transfer wrestlers will bolster the lineup which has 10 athletes who have started in the line up at some point in their careers. The expectation for the 2007 edition of the MatHawks is to be back on top.

The continuity of the coaching staff has long been a staple of the Northern Regions top wrestling program, head coach Roy Hill is entering his 15 th year at the helm, and his lead assistant, Bernard Nimmons enters his 12 th season at Hayfield. Hawk alumni Juan Sanchez (VMI ’04) and Jerome Villanueava (VA Tech ’05) enter their 3 rd and 2 nd seasons on the MatHawk staff respectively. New additions to the staff include Tomas Ovalle (a 2 time Northern Region Champion and a 3 time AAA state place finisher for the Hawks from 1998-2001), (VA Tech ’06), and Jochen Granja (also a Northern Region Champion and State placer for the Hawks), (VMI ’06). Remarkable junior league coach, Gary Dennis, who started the Jr. Hawks program in 1997 has coached wrestlers who have gone on to win 6 regional championships and 2 state championships.

The Hawks coaching staff is expecting a breakout season from many wrestlers who worked diligently in the off-season. Many of the MatHawks put in many hours training, lifting, and drilling, but these three have stepped up and given their all.

One such wrestler is sophomore Ronnie Ours. Ronnie placed 4 th in the Patriot District as a freshman and was one win from placing in the regional tournament. In the spring and summer, Ronnie worked diligently to improve with diligent attendance at the Gunston Wrestling Club practices, and constant competitions at tournaments nearly every weekend such as the SE Regional in Greenville, SC, Cadet Duals in Indianapolis, IN, and the Cadet Nationals in Fargo, ND. Rising senior, Josh Claassen is one of the most well liked, respected, hard working wrestlers in the program. A leader on the team, Josh will vie for many post season honors. By attending almost every GWC workout session, and attending numerous national level competitions, such as the National Junior Duals and the Junior Greco-Roman and Freestyle Championships in Fargo, ND. A state championship this season is the logical culmination for junior Steven Ours. Steven placed 4 th in the AAA state tournament last year and then plunged into a rigorous off season training program. He competed in many national level competitions such as the National Scholastic duals in Dover, DE, and the Western Regional Championships in Las Vegas, NV. Then he spent 6 weeks training with Ken Chertow’s Super Gold Medal wrestling camp.

Super freshmen Shane Schumack and Billy Kane have moved to new states or programs. Sophomore Ray Borja has moved into the Hayfield School district. A cadet national team member, Borja brings great intensity and work ethic into the room. He spent part of the summer at the prestigious J. Robinson 28 day intensive wrestling camp before competing at the Cadet National Championships in Fargo, ND. Raymond was the 2006 Liberty District Champion at 103 lbs.